Germany's A40 highway closed between Mülheim‑Winkhausen and Essen‑Ost for a week

The A40 autobahn section between Mülheim‑Winkhausen and the Essen‑Ost interchange was fully closed from the evening of 23 July until 05:00 UTC on 30 July. The closure, lasting about a week, enables the installation of new low‑noise “whisper” asphalt over a 5.8‑kilometre stretch.

Official detours direct traffic northbound toward Duisburg via the A52, then onto the A3 and A524/A59, while southbound traffic toward Dortmund follows the local Aktienstraße through Mülheim and Essen. Early Friday mornings saw the first commuter queues, with long lines forming before 07:00 at the Mülheim‑Winkhausen exit. Authorities warned drivers to avoid personal navigation‑derived shortcuts and to follow the posted signs.

Recklinghausen commuters were specifically urged to expect considerably longer travel times. Local police reported speed checks on several streets and noted manipulated QR‑codes on parking‑meter machines, prompting a city‑wide investigation. The Autobahn GmbH emphasized that the detour routes would be monitored throughout the closure period.